Czech Republic 0-0 Portugal – Important point earned in the UEFA European U21 Championship qualifiers
Portugal maintained their three-point lead at the top of Group B in the 2027 UEFA European U21 Championship qualifiers following a hard fought 0-0 draw in the Czech Republic.
Youssef Chermiti headed Rodrigo Mora’s corner off the bar at the freezing cold Malsovicka Arena in Hradec Kralove, Czechia going close after the break when Lukás Masek couldn’t direct Alexandr Buzek’s cross on target.
Luís Freire’s side went desperately close in the 62nd minute when Roger Fernandes’ shot was deflected over the bar. Afonso Moreira came off the bench and should have scored within 60 seconds of being introduced, volleying Roger’s cross over from point-blank range.
The final chance fell for the hosts, Tom Slončik’s cross finding Dominik Pech who was denied by João Carvalho.
Portugal remain in a strong position to top Group B with five games to play. They have scored 21 goals with none conceded, the final qualifier coming at home against Czechia on 6 October 2026.
Chances for Chermiti
Mateus Fernandes saw his shot deflected over the bar early on before two efforts from Matyás Vojta lacked enough power to trouble João Carvalho.
Martim Fernandes’ dangerous cross won a corner that was swung in by Rodrigo Mora, Youssef Chermiti rising high and heading the ball off the bar.
Mora broke clear and provided another chance for Chermiti that he dragged wide, the striker then unable to latch onto a through ball provided by Mathias de Amorim.
Mora fired wide before Roger Fernandes released Tiago Parente, the left-back getting to the byline and finding Chermiti who fired a weak shot at Jan Koutný.
Half time: Czechia 0-0 Portugal
Lukás Masek was fortunate to escape punishment after lashing out at Tiago Gabriel who picked up an unlucky booking early in the second half.
Czechia’s best chance came in the 54th minute when Alexandr Buzek’s cross picked out Masek, the winger volleying the ball into the ground and over the bar.
Luís Freire brought on João Rego and Gustavo Varela for Mora and Chermiti who revealed heavy strapping on his left thigh.
Portugal went desperately close in the 62nd minute when Geovany Quenda found Parente in the box, he did well to tee up Roger Fernandes who saw his goalbound shot deflect over the bar.
Sub Moreira has instant impact
Martim Fernandes couldn’t keep Parente’s cross down before the defender and Quenda made way for Diogo Travassos and Afonso Moreira. The in-form Moreira should have scored immediately after being introduced, getting onto the end of Roger’s cross and volleying over from point-blank range.
Moreira cut inside and unleashed a shot that went narrowly wide, Freire’s final substitution seeing the impressive Parente replaced by Francisco Chissumba.
Portugal dodged a big bullet in the final minute of added time when two substitutes combined, Tom Slončik’s cross falling perfectly for Dominik Pech who produced a fine save from Carvalho. The corner came to nothing and the referee blew the final whistle.
Seleção well placed to qualify
Despite dropping their first points of the campaign, Portugal remain top of the group are in a strong position to stay there and qualify automatically for the 2027 UEFA European U21 Championship, to be staged in Albania and Serbia.
At the halfway stage Portugal are in first place in Group B, three points clear of closest rivals Czechia and Scotland having played both nations away. The Scots have played one game more than the Seleção.
Portugal’s remaining fixtures:
Azerbaijan v Portugal – 27 March 2026
Portugal v Scotland – 31 March 2026
Bulgaria v Portugal – 25 September 2026
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